After clinching a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton players Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen have been called up to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan explained that the call-up was planned and well-deserved for the rookie forwards. “These two guys are a big reason why Wilkes has had the success that it’s enjoyed. They’ve been pretty impactful… we feel it’s important to reward guys for effort and performance,” Sullivan said.
Both players are excited about joining the NHL ranks, with Koivunen set to make his debut and McGroarty already having played three games in October. Bryan Rust, a more experienced team member, expressed excitement about their arrival. “It’s fun to see what they’ve got. They obviously went out there, they worked really hard. You could tell both of them are really, really good players.”
In preparation, McGroarty joined Rust and Sidney Crosby for line rushes, while Koivunen skated in the top six. Sullivan intends to position both players to leverage their strengths. “They’re different in how they play, but both of these guys have high hockey IQs. They’re both real competitive guys,” Sullivan noted.
Assistant General Manager Jason Spezza highlighted McGroarty’s development. Spezza called McGroarty a “huge success story” following a challenging start to the season. Describing McGroarty’s progress, Spezza said, “He’s probably our first penalty killer over the boards… Even during the times when he wasn’t scoring, we were happy with how things were going.”
McGroarty now leads his team with 18 points since February 15, showing notable improvement and a high level of play. McGroarty attributes his growth to building confidence and mental strength, stating, “I think overall, my game hasn’t necessarily changed… I’ve just matured a lot.”
Koivunen has 21 goals this season and is recognized for his competitiveness and dedication. “He’s one of the first guys in the rink, one of the last guys to leave,” McGroarty commented. Spezza praised Koivunen’s intellect, saying, “I think he’s really smart, has a great hockey sense.”
As Koivunen looks forward to his NHL debut, Sidney Crosby advised young players like him to trust their instincts. “Just have to learn as much as you can,” Crosby urged, emphasizing the game’s consistency beyond its faster pace and stronger players.
